Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the environment A gold standard for the planet or for big business?

Starting in 2008, CETA was negotiated in total secrecy. The negotiating mandate, text offers, consolidated texts and meetings were conducted under a veil of undemocratic practices. This has fundamentally undermined the legitimacy of the agreement in the minds of both the European and Canadian citizens.

In this context, it is surprising to see that CETA is presented as one of the most progressive trade agreements ever negotiated. Our study demonstrates that CETA has not put the people and the planet first, nor even given it equal consideration to business interests, but treated public interests as an afterthought.